Schlereth: Broncos, sign Cousins; ‘Young guys tend to get you fired’

A Denver Broncos fan holds a sign for quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins (not pictured) before the start of the first quarter at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The biggest question facing the Denver Broncos as they head into the offseason is can the club land a prized free agent quarterback and, if they don’t, can they find a passer in the NFL Draft they can develop.?

Adam Schefter on Thursday said the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive, that Denver can pick up a veteran and still draft a quarterback.

But perhaps the easiest route for the Broncos, “Schlereth and Evans” host Mark Schlereth said Thursday, is to ensure they land Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins.

“I’d like to see them sign Kirk Cousins, pony up the dough, and I’d like to see him be our starting quarterback next season,” Schlereth said.

Because of how the college game works in terms of offense and how hard it can be to transition to the NFL as a quarterback, Schlereth said it takes patience to mold a young player into an everyday starter — patience the Broncos, specifically head coach Vance Joseph, likely don’t have.

“Think about this organization, and you think about where this organization sits and some of the scrutiny that this organization has faced here in recent years,” Schlereth said. “Do you really think that drafting a quarterback, that is one of the most unsure propositions in football, and developing that guy along with all the other positions that you have to develop right now is a recipe for success within a year, two years, three years?

“You think this fanbase is going to tolerate that? If you’re Vance Joseph, you think you’re going to be allowed to develop a young quarterback and retain your job? Come on.

A 1-5 start to the season, Schlereth said, and Joseph is probably out the door. A couple of blowout losses, “you’re going to be standing on a slippery slope.”

“As I said, young guys tend to get you fired. Young guys take a while to develop,” Schlereth said.

But, if the Broncos don’t figure out a solution under center, Schlereth said, it’s still going to be a bumpy road.

“Ultimately, until you solve the quarterback equation, you’re going to be below-.500. That’s what you’re going to be,” Schlereth said in making his case for the team to pursue Cousins.